I see it as my duty toward the Iraqi people, and to protect the credibility of the democratic experiment, to set a date. |
I spoke to the heads of all the political blocs and I sensed a true intent from all to push the political process forward. From now until the 17th of this month, we believe there will be an agreement on some of the problems. |
I think people are rapidly losing confidence in the political class, and I don't blame them. |
I think the Shiites want a theocracy. |
I will call on parliament in the next few days. |
If the security forces continue to be dominated as they are now by political groups or sects, then the people won't trust in them - and the result will be civil war or fragmentation of the country. |
If we can elect a speaker tomorrow then the Parliament can start functioning normally. People feel they have been let down and that is eroding their faith in the whole political process. |
If we give ourselves this amount of time, we might succeed, and I am sure that we will succeed to form a government of national unity, which the people have been waiting for, for so long. |
It has been decided to leave the session open pending political agreement on the designation of a speaker and his two deputies. |
It is in our interest to expedite the whole process. |
It is my duty to the Iraqi people in order to preserve the credibility of the democratic process. |
It will have due process and the right of appeal and be an open trial with attorneys and lawyers, something that is really unprecedented in Iraq's recent history and quite a contrast from the courts that Saddam himself established in Iraq to try his enemies, |
It won't be a question of how well-trained or well-equipped the army is but one of the authority it serves. |
It's a good thing. It's a safety valve in a way. Decisions will be taken in which all major political parties will be part of. No one will accuse the prime minister of making decisions on his own. |
It's a struggle for power. |